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Turtle River has a slogan of "Excellence in
Whole Education". What does that mean? |
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Turtle River Montessori
prides itself on our high standards in "whole education", utilizing
Montessori's belief that teaching philosophies and practices should
be learner focused and address broader frameworks such as peace and
environmental education. This approach encourages children to think
and discover for themselves. It reaches beyond basic academic
achievement to influence “the whole child.”
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Where did
Montessori come from? |
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Montessori education was founded in 1907 by Dr. Maria Montessori,
the first woman in Italy to become a physician. She based her
educational methods on scientific observation of children's learning
processes. Guided by her discovery that children teach themselves,
Dr. Montessori designed a "prepared environment" in which children
could freely choose from a number of developmentally appropriate
activities. Now, nearly a century after Maria Montessori's first
casa dei bambini ("children's house") in Rome, Montessori education
is found all over the world, spanning ages from birth to
adolescence.
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What is the number one
Montessori philosophy? |
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The Montessori Method is based on the insights of Dr.
Montessori, who believed
that no human being is educated by another person. A child
must do it himself or it will never be done. A truly educated individual
continues learning long after the hours and years he spends in the classroom
because he is motivated from within by a natural curiosity and love for
knowledge. Dr. Montessori felt, therefore, that the goal of early
childhood education should not be to fill the child with facts from a
pre-selected course of studies, but rather to cultivate his own natural
desire to learn. Because the learning process is hands-on, fun and
individualized, with loving guidance from teachers and
role-modeling by older children, students develop self-esteem,
self-control, self-motivation, self-organization and a genuine long lasting love of learning
during their growth in a Montessori school. For more information,
click here.
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What is the
difference between Montessori and traditional education? |
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Montessori emphasizes learning through all five senses, not just through
listening, watching, or reading. Children in Montessori classes
learn at their own individual pace and according to their own
choice of activities from hundreds of possibilities. Learning is
an exciting process of discovery, leading to concentration,
motivation, self-discipline, self-esteem and a love of learning.
Montessori children are unusually adaptable with strong
self-images and the confidence to face challenges and change
with optimism.
Montessori classes place children in three-year age groups (3-6, 6-9,
9-12, and so on), forming communities in which the older
children spontaneously share their knowledge with the younger
ones. Montessori represents an entirely different approach to
education.
For more information,
click here.
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What is the Montessori Teaching
Method? |
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"Teach by teaching, not by correcting". There are no
papers turned back with red marks and corrections. Instead the
child's effort and work is respected as it is. The teacher, through
extensive observation and record-keeping, plans individual projects
to enable each child to learn what he needs in order to improve.
The environment is arranged according to subject area, and children
are always free to move around the room instead of staying at desks.
There is no limit to how long a child can work with a piece of
material. At any one time in a day all subjects -- math, language,
science, history, geography, art, music, etc., will be being
studied, at all levels.
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What is the
significance of Turtle River's affiliation with AMS? |
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The American Montessori Society's
Accreditation is a voluntary process undertaken by schools that
are committed to continuous school improvement. Through a
self-study and documentation process a school defines itself in
terms of strengths and areas that need improvement and validates
that the school is what it says it is and does what it says it
does. The real value resides in the strong self-evaluation and
comprehensive strategic plan that fosters continuing school
improvement. For more information,
click here.
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Where can I
find a good, brief introduction to Montessori from birth through the
school years? |
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At the Michael Olaf Montessori Company site, which
provides practical advice for using Montessori philosophy in all
kinds of settings:
www.michaelolaf.net.
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Can I do
Montessori at home with my child? |
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Yes, you can use Montessori principles of child development at home.
Look at your home through your child's eyes. Children need a
sense of belonging, and they get it by participating fully in the
routines of everyday life. "Help me do it by myself" is the life
theme of the preschooler. Can you find ways for your child to
participate in meal preparation, cleaning, gardening, caring for
clothes, shoes, and toys? Providing opportunities for independence
is the surest way to build your child's self-esteem.
At the school
level many homeschooling and other parents use the Montessori
philosophy of following the child's interest and not interrupting
concentration to educate their children. In school only a trained
Montessori teacher can properly implement Montessori education,
using the specialized learning equipment of the Montessori "prepared
environment." Here social development comes from being in a positive
and unique environment with other children -- an integral part of
Montessori education.
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I recently
observed a Montessori classroom for a day and I was impressed.
I have three questions about the children's activities:
(1) There seem to be few opportunities for pretend play
(2) The materials don't seem to allow children to be creative
(3) Children don't seem to be interacting with each other very much |
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(1) When Dr.
Montessori opened the first Children's House it was full of pretend
play things. The children never played with them as long as they
were allowed to do real things - i.e. cooking instead of pretending
to cook. It is still true.
(2) The materials teach specific things and then the creativity is
incredible. Like learning how to handle a good violin and then
playing music. It is not considered "creative" to use a violin as a
hammer, or a bridge while playing with blocks. We consider it
"creative" to learn how to use the violin properly and then create
music. The same goes for the materials in a Montessori classroom.
(3) There is as much interaction as the children desire, but the
tasks are so satisfying that, for these few hours a day, children
want to master the challenges offered by them. Then they become
happier and kinder—true socialization. Also, since concentration is
protected above all, as all "work" is respected, children learn
early on not to interrupt someone who is concentrating. This
"quiet" which new parents misinterpret as a rigid, controlled
environment, is actually a natural by-product of the children's
happy engagement in activities they enjoy.
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Are Montessori children
successful later in life? |
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Research studies show that Montessori
children are well prepared for later life academically, socially,
and emotionally. In addition to scoring well on standardized tests,
Montessori children are ranked above average on such criteria as
following directions, turning in work on time, listening
attentively, using basic skills, showing responsibility, asking
provocative questions, showing enthusiasm for learning, and adapting
to new situations.
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Why is Turtle River considered one of the best
Montessori schools? |
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A dedicated commitment to the
Montessori Method, a clean, modern, attractive facility, a high
caliber of teaching staff, a solid sense of direction and mission,
and strong support within our community and our student families
combine to create the standard of Excellence we enjoy.
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Why is parental involvement so
important at Turtle River? |
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We
are dedicated to fostering a tight-knit community and encourage
parents to participate on various levels. Our belief is that
participation enhances the school programs and raises parental
commitment to the quality of education, which has created our
extended family of students, faculty, parents and alumni.
Research has proven that children thrive better in environments
where their families are involved. We are committed to educating the
parent community in our Montessori philosophy.
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Can I walk my child into class the first week
of school? |
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It is important that we establish a routine for your
child to feel secure. It is an easier transition for your
child to walk in on car line because it is a natural place to
separate from you under the supervision of their teacher, and
they see the other children walking in so it quickly becomes
routine. The children know what to expect daily, and
separation is not stressful. However, if you choose to walk
your child in the first few days, do your goodbye ritual and
leave them at their classroom door with their teacher. Trust that
the teachers are experienced in handling all situations. A
successful suggestion is to sit on the benches outside of the
school in the days prior to your child starting school, and have
your child watch the car line procedure to help them know what
to expect.
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What Physicals or Immunizations are required
for my child? |
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Florida Department of Health requires that any
child entering a school must have a completed Florida Certification
of Immunization (State of Florida form DH 680) with either proof of
immunization or exemption for the form to be valid along with an
up-to-date physical form from a Florida physician (Student Health
Exam, form DH 3040). No child will be allowed to start school
without submission of current physicals and immunization records to
the front office prior to the first day of school.
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How am I informed about Turtle River
activities? |
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Turtle River closely follows
the Palm Beach County Public School calendar, and we provide our
school calendar to you or you may view it on our
Calendar Page. We actively
use email to communicate with parents, and have a school
bulletin board at the reception area, as well as event boards at
each classroom. We also provide a Newsletter monthly highlighting recent events and detailing
upcoming activities. View a sample newsletter by
clicking
here.
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How do I arrange a visit and
learn about availability and tuition? |
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Please call us at 561-745-1995
to schedule a visit to learn more. |
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